Assistant Finance Manager

Craven Cottage CC; Pongola; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC seeks an Assistant Finance Manager to oversee daily financial operations at the lodge in KwaZulu-Natal. You will assist with accounts payable, receivable, bank reconciliation, stock control and monthly reporting, partnering with department heads to stay within budgets.

Requirements include a Diploma or Degree in Accounting or Finance, 3–5 years in finance, and strong Excel skills. Hospitality experience is advantageous. The role is full-time and on-site at the lodge.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' relevant finance/accounting experience.
• Experience in hotel, lodge, resort or hospitality environment is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day financial operations of the lodge.
• Capture and process financial transactions accurately and timeously.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial procedures.
• Prepare and process journals as required.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma or Degree in Accounting/Finance/Financial Management

Grade 12 / Matric

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Hospitality accounting systems / PMS/POS

Job description

Financial Administration & Accounting:

• Assist with the day-to-day financial operations of the lodge.
• Capture and process financial transactions accurately and timeously.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial procedures.
• Prepare and process journals as required.
• Assist with accruals, prepayments and other month-end adjustments.
• Ensure all financial documentation is properly filed and readily available for audit purposes.
• Identify and report financial discrepancies, irregularities or potential risks to the Finance Manager.

Accounts Payable:

• Process supplier invoices and ensure they are appropriately authorised.
• Verify invoices against purchase orders, delivery notes and supporting documentation.
• Ensure supplier accounts are accurately reconciled.
• Assist with weekly and monthly payment preparations.
• Monitor outstanding supplier invoices and queries.
• Maintain professional relationships with suppliers.

Accounts Receivable & Debtors:

• Assist with the accurate invoicing of guests, agents, companies and other accounts.
• Monitor outstanding balances and follow up on overdue accounts.
• Allocate payments accurately.
• Reconcile debtor accounts.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Assist the Finance Manager with monthly debtor reporting.

Banking & Cash Management:

• Assist with daily banking and cash-up procedures.
• Reconcile bank accounts and investigate variances.
• Monitor cash handling procedures across the lodge.
• Ensure cash-up documentation is accurate and complete.
• Assist with petty cash management and reconciliations.
• Ensure all cash handling complies with company controls and procedures.

Stock & Cost Control:

• Assist with stock counts across relevant lodge departments.
• Monitor stock movements and investigate variances.
• Assist with food, beverage, housekeeping and operational cost control.
• Ensure stock sheets and supporting documentation are completed accurately.
• Assist in identifying wastage, losses or unusual variances.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping and other HODs to maintain effective cost controls.
• Assist with monthly stock takes and reporting.

Financial Reporting:

• Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Compile financial information for the Finance Manager and management team.
• Prepare departmental expenditure reports and variance analysis.
• Monitor actual expenditure against budgets.
• Highlight significant variances and assist with explanations.
• Provide accurate financial information to HODs where required.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts.
• Monitor departmental spending against approved budgets.
• Assist HODs in understanding their departmental financial performance.
• Track operational expenses and identify areas where cost savings may be achieved.
• Assist with financial projections and cash-flow monitoring.

Payroll Support:

• Provide financial support to the payroll process where required.
• Assist with payroll reconciliations and verification of payroll-related financial information.
• Ensure payroll journals and related accounting entries are correctly processed.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding employee remuneration and financial information.
• Work closely with HR and Finance to resolve payroll discrepancies.

Internal Controls & Compliance:

• Ensure financial procedures are consistently followed.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate segregation of duties.
• Ensure transactions are appropriately authorised.
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Prepare supporting documentation requested during audits.
• Report suspected financial irregularities or control weaknesses immediately.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding lodge, guest, supplier and employee financial information.

Lodge Operations & Interdepartmental Support:

• The Assistant Finance Manager is expected to understand the financial impact of lodge operations and work collaboratively with all departments.
• The Assistant Finance Manager should provide financial guidance and support, while ensuring that operational decisions remain within approved budgets, policies and financial controls.

Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' relevant finance/accounting experience.
• Previous experience in a hotel, lodge, resort or hospitality environment is highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Experience with reconciliations, creditors, debtors and financial reporting.
• Strong computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with hospitality accounting systems and/or PMS/POS systems will be advantageous.
• Previous experience in a luxury lodge or five-star hospitality environment.
• Experience with stock and cost control.
• Experience with payroll accounting.
• Knowledge of hospitality-specific financial reporting.
• Relevant accounting qualification or professional studies.